The Heartbreak Kid

If you thought you knew everything about the United States, hold your americano: May discusses the deepest complexes of this cultural melting pot and disguises them in a comedy so harsh that the audience can only grit its teeth. Chills of embarrassment are caused mostly by Lenny (a great Charles Grodin) who, along with his newlywed wife Lila (May’s daughter Jeannie Berlin, nominated for an Oscar for this role) goes on a honeymoon to Miami. There, among Florida’s burning sun and WASPs on holiday, his complexes are uncovered. Jewish Lenny decides to cut his roots and go in pursuit of the American Beauty (Cybill Shepherd). The Heartbreak Kid is an intelligent, extremely insightful comedy which is really funny at the same time.

PS. Don’t confuse films! This is not the Ben Stiller‘s comedy’!

Patrycja Mucha

Rare 35mm print of courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.